Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said Thursday he is considering leading a trade mission to Israel, after being invited by Israel's ambassador to the United States, Daniel Ayalon.

After meeting with Ayalon, Huntsman told reporters he plans "to give some creative thought to a mission that would make sense, that would shore up and bolster the ties between Utah and Israel."

The governor said he told the ambassador he would give the invitation "serious consideration" and that they talked about a mission that would focus not only on economic development, but also on culture, natural resources and education.

Ayalon, in Utah to attend a fund-raiser for the state chapter of the America-Israel Friendship League, said there is "great potential" for business exchanges between Israel and Utah, especially in high technology.

"The platform to encourage this is through a mission, where the political leadership of the state . . . will go there," the ambassador said. "Government's role is just to jump-start, to give incentives."

Huntsman visited Mexico City last July, where he met with Mexican President Vicente Fox to pitch an alliance of trade, education and culture between Utah and Mexico. Fox is coming to Utah next week, at the governor's invitation.

Trips to India and China to discuss similar alliances are already being planned by Huntsman. He has been to the Middle East since taking office 1 1/2 years ago, having traveled to Iraq in March with a delegation led by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

The ambassador said the war in Iraq needs to be won for the sake of the stability of not just Iraq, but other Arab countries in the Middle East. "What we see there is a battle between freedom-loving people and terrorists," Ayalon said.

In the long term, he said, there will be progress in Iraq. "It's not going to be overnight. I know you are making a valiant and a great effort. We appreciate it. The entire world appreciates that. I hope the day is soon that American troops can come back home."

Ayalon met with Huntsman and other state officials. He also visited Brigham Young University and met with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In response to questions during the news conference, the ambassador said the issue of the LDS practice of baptizing the dead, including Jews, was not discussed.

"Not at all," Ayalon said. "And it is not a bone of contention whatsoever."

In 1995, the LDS Church agreed to stop including deceased Jews in its proxy baptisms.

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